There has been a question that has lingered in the back of the ethers of my mind, but it has never fully coalesced until now, after reading this article.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...ond-round/

My question is knowing this is the time of year where teams will routinely and smartly conceal their draft intentions by putting out false or misleading information-also known as smoke-why does the sports media bother to report it?

Admittedly, I am a sucker for this stuff.  Lots of the pre draft speculation adds to the excitement.  Perhaps the media figures people like me reading articles like this are good for clicks.

But is there some sort of consideration (i.e. a bargained for exchange) between the media and the teams that allows greater access in exchange for promoting often false information?

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